Intermediate Session
Amos 6:1a, 4-7
Luke 16:19-31
Let us pray.
God of compassion,
you want all your children to have enough to eat and a place to call home.
Help us to remember and care for those in need.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
The theme for today is justice for the poor. To begin invite the children to write a headline for a newspaper story about children who do not have enough to eat. Provide each child with a blank sheet of paper and a pencil. When they finish, invite the children to share their headline with the large group. Discuss:
Allow time for discussion. Jesus saw the value of all God’s children. If one child does not have enough food to eat or a place to live, we all suffer as part of God’s family.
In the Old Testament reading listen to how the people forget the needs of the poor.
Read Amos 6:1a, 4-7.
Allow for silence.
In the Gospel today listen to a parable about a poor man named Lazarus.
Read Luke 16:19-31.
Allow for silence.
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the readings.
In the Old Testament reading today the prophet Amos warns the self-satisfied that they are headed for destruction. The wealthy who ignore God’s demand for justice will be the first to go into exile. In this reading, the rich are called to task because they are blinded by their comforts. They do not see the needs of others. The people close their hearts to compassion, which earns them destruction.
In today’s Gospel Jesus tells a parable about a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. In the story Lazarus is hungry, sick, and crippled and he cries out to the rich man for help. Lazarus receives no mercy from the rich man who ignores him. Comfortable with his abundance, the rich man does not notice the beggar at his feet.
After death, the fortunes of the two are reversed. Lazarus rests “in the bosom of Abraham,” while the rich man suffers. The rich man is condemned for his hardness of heart.
This Gospel makes the point that caring for the poor is the responsibility of all God’s people. Compassionate concern for the poor leads to life everlasting.
[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]
Catholic social teaching on justice acknowledges that sinful inequalities affect millions of people throughout the world. These unfair conditions keep people from having what they need to live healthy lives. This inequality goes against Jesus’ gospel message.
As Catholic Christians, we are called to work for justice. It is our responsibility to fight against the unequal conditions that cause poverty. Catholic social teaching reminds us to never become so comfortable with what we have that we forget the needs of the poor.
How can you find out about groups that perform service for people in your area who are living in poverty?
Connection to Faith First® Legacy Edition
At Home Family Guide, theme 13
Grade 4, chapter 22
Grade 5, chapter 23
Grade 6, chapter 22